Wengen: Bode Miller sanctioned for missing bib draw

Wengen: Bode Miller sanctioned for missing bib draw{mosimage}Bode Miller missed the bib presentation ceremony for the Lauberhorn downhill on Friday night, leading the International Ski Federation to punish him with a higher bib number in the race.

“It’s a pity that he wastes so much energy on this kind of thing,” said Guenter Hujara, the FIS race director for the men’s World Cup. “The consequences are not so great for him, but he disappoints his fans.”

Ranked skiers are required to appear the night before every race to receive their bibs in an official handover ceremony. Often local junior racers present them with the bib; it is a photo opportunity and a chance for fans to get a look at the skiers’ faces.

No other athletes missed Friday night’s draw. Miller has missed several of them before.

Because Miller was not there to receive his bib, he will start outside the top 30 — the top-ranked downhillers on the tour. He will probably wear bib 31 in Saturday’s race.